Finding privately rented accommodation

With such a wide variety of private rented accommodation on offer in Bristol, knowing where to start can be difficult. Read our six-steps to finding your property and you'll be ready to tackle the rentals market head-on.

Fees, deposits, bills - costs vary depending on the property you rent and who you rent from. Read our summary of the costs involved to work out exactly what you can afford. You should do this before you look at any properties.

The many different areas of Bristol each have their own character and community, and deciding where you want to live, or perhaps more importantly, where you don't want to live, is essential in narrowing down your property search.

There are seemingly endless places offering properties to rent that can seem overwhelming when you first start looking for a property. We can point you in the right direction in finding reliable lettings, and offer tips on avoiding scams.

Once you start viewing properties it can be easy to lose sight of what you originally wanted from your new home. Read our information on the important things to look for and questions that you should ask the landlord or agent.

Found the place for you? Make sure you read our information on contracts and agreements first, as your tenancy agreement is a legally binding document. It is important to spend time reading and understanding it before you sign.

House search events

Our House Search events offer somewhere to stay in Bristol while you look for private sector accommodation, support and advice from the Accommodation Office and the chance to meet other house-hunters.

Additional resources

Download our handy factsheets for top tips on renting in the private sector.